Voting took place in seven assembly constituencies of Begusarai district during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. By 11 AM, the district recorded a voter turnout of 30.37%, showing steady participation across all seats. A total of 21.36 lakh voters, including 11,34,376 men and 10,02,323 women, were eligible to decide the fate of 73 candidates contesting from these constituencies. The district also had 38 third-gender voters registered. For the first time in Begusarai, all 2,537 polling stations were equipped with live web casting through CCTV cameras, with monitoring conducted from Kargil. The seven assembly seats witnessing polling were Bachhauda, Bakhari, Begusarai, Cheria Bariarpur, Matihani, Sahibpur Kamal, and Teghra. The voting percentage varied across constituencies, with Cheria Bariarpur recording the highest at 33.32% and Sahibpur Kamal the lowest at 27.94% by late morning. Several prominent political figures cast their votes during the morning hours. The elections saw competition between the NDA alliance, comprising BJP, JD(U), and LJP, and the Mahagathbandhan, which included RJD, Congress, and CPI. Notable candidates included Bihar Sports Minister Surendra Mehta contesting from Bachhauda on a BJP ticket, and Sushil Kumar, son of former Chief Minister Satish Prasad Singh, fielded by RJD from Cheria Bariarpur. One candidate from Matihani raised allegations of irregularities in the voting process. The constituency-wise breakdown showed Bachhauda at 31%, Bakhari at 30.86%, Begusarai at 30.19%, Matihani at 29.55%, and Teghra at 29.82% voter turnout by 11 AM. Earlier at 9 AM, the district had recorded 14.60% polling.
Key Candidates and Political Alliances in Fray
The NDA alliance fielded candidates strategically across all seven seats. BJP contested three seats with Kundan Kumar from Begusarai, Rajnish Kumar from Teghra, and Sports Minister Surendra Mehta from Bachhauda. JD(U) nominated ruling party whip Rajkumar Singh from Matihani and Abhishek Anand, son of former minister Manju Varma, from Cheria Bariarpur. LJP entered two constituencies with Sanjay Paswan in Bakhari and Surendra Vivek in Sahibpur Kamal. The Mahagathbandhan saw RJD competing in three seats: four-time MLA Narendra Kumar Singh (known as Bogo Singh) from Matihani, Sattanand Sambuddh from Sahibpur Kamal, and Sushil Kumar, son of former Chief Minister Satish Prasad Singh, from Cheria Bariarpur. Congress fielded two candidates, Amitabh Bhushan from Begusarai and Shiv Prakash Garibdas from Bachhauda. CPI contested three seats with Suryakant Paswan in Bakhari, Ramratan Singh in Teghra, and Awadhesh Rai in Bachhauda. Notably, both Congress and CPI fielded candidates from Bachhauda, making it a complex contest within the alliance itself.
Constituency-wise Voter Turnout Till Late Morning
By 11 AM, the district registered varying levels of voter participation across its seven assembly segments. Cheria Bariarpur led with the highest turnout of 33.32%, followed closely by Bachhauda at 31% and Bakhari at 30.86%. Begusarai constituency recorded 30.19% polling, while Teghra stood at 29.82%. Matihani registered 29.55% voter participation, and Sahibpur Kamal had the lowest turnout at 27.94% during this period. Earlier in the morning at 9 AM, the overall district polling stood at 14.60%, indicating a steady increase in voter participation as the day progressed. The district's total registered voter strength included 11,34,376 male voters and 10,02,323 female voters, along with 38 third-gender voters. This marked an important electoral exercise where over 21 lakh voters would determine the political future of 73 candidates competing across these constituencies. The presence of live web casting at all polling stations ensured transparency and real-time monitoring of the electoral process throughout Begusarai district.
Live Monitoring and Voting Infrastructure
For the first time in Begusarai's electoral history, all 2,537 polling stations across the seven assembly constituencies were equipped with comprehensive live web casting facilities. CCTV cameras were installed at every polling booth to enable real-time monitoring of the voting process. The surveillance footage was monitored centrally from Kargil, ensuring transparency and preventing any irregularities during polling. This technological intervention marked a significant step toward conducting free and fair elections in the district. The live monitoring system allowed election officials to observe voter activity, manage queues, and address any complaints promptly. Despite these arrangements, a candidate from Matihani constituency raised allegations regarding irregularities in the voting process, though specific details were not immediately available. The enhanced security and monitoring measures reflected the Election Commission's commitment to maintaining electoral integrity. The web casting system also served as a deterrent against potential malpractices, as every activity at polling stations was recorded and could be reviewed later. This infrastructure upgrade was particularly important given the presence of 73 candidates and the participation of over 21 lakh voters across the district.
Notable Personalities and Electoral Significance
Several prominent political figures participated in the electoral process during the morning hours. Bihar Sports Minister Surendra Mehta, contesting on a BJP ticket from Bachhauda, was among the high-profile candidates in the fray. The constituency of Cheria Bariarpur witnessed a significant battle with Sushil Kumar, son of former Chief Minister Satish Prasad Singh, representing RJD against JD(U)'s Abhishek Anand, son of former minister Manju Varma. Matihani saw four-time MLA Narendra Kumar Singh, popularly known as Bogo Singh, seeking re-election on an RJD ticket against JD(U)'s ruling party whip Rajkumar Singh. Congress fielded its lone female candidate, Amita Bhushan, former MLA and Women's Congress president, from Begusarai constituency. Kanhiya also cast his vote during the morning. The Bachhauda constituency presented an unusual situation within the Mahagathbandhan, where both Congress and CPI fielded separate candidates, potentially splitting anti-NDA votes. These high-stakes contests involving ministerial positions, political legacies, and factional rivalries made the Begusarai district elections particularly significant in Bihar's overall electoral landscape.
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